Special meals

This is a non-strict vegetarian meal that is prepared in an Indian style and may be spicy. This meal is free of meat, poultry, fish and shellfish, and may include dairy products.

Hindu (Indian) vegetarian

Hindu (Indian) meals follow vegetarian guidelines by excluding all meat and seafood, and are spicy in content.

Special note: Hindu (Indian) vegetarian meals are offered as a standard choice on flights to and from India; therefore, it is not necessary to place a special vegetarian meal request for these flights.

Vegan (strict) vegetarian

Vegan meals are available for those customers who exclude from their diets all foods derived from animals, including meat, poultry, fish, shellfish, honey, eggs and dairy products and their byproducts.

Vegetarian lacto-ovo

Vegetarian meals that include dairy, honey and eggs are now available for vegetarian customers. This meal does not include meat, poultry, fish and shellfish.

Vegetarian lacto-ovo meals are currently available in premium cabins only.

Child

This meal is available for children ages 2-12, and includes food offerings that appeal to children. The meals planned for United follow Recommended Dietary Allowances for children.

Gluten-intolerant

This meal is available for customers who are gluten-intolerant, and does not contain wheat, barley, rye or oats.

Jain

Jain meals are prepared in Indian style and according to Jain customs that prohibit the consumption of animal products and root vegetables.

Jain meals are available only on flights to and from India.

Japanese

Traditional multi-course Japanese meals, served with steamed rice and Japanese tea, are available for pre-order by customers confirmed in United Polaris® first class or United Polaris business class on flights between the continental U.S. or Hawaii and Japan.

Kosher

Kosher meals are prepared by Kosher caterers under strict Rabbinical supervision and may also incorporate fresh fruit or sealed items, such as individually packaged bagels that meet Kosher laws. Special Kosher for Passover meals are supplied during Passover.

These meals exclude all products derived from pigs, such as pork, ham and bacon, and alcohol is not used for preparation. All meat products are prepared in accordance with the Halal method.

How can I request a special meal?

We offer special meals on select routes when a breakfast, lunch or dinner is scheduled. A special meal can be requested at the time of booking or by adding a request to an existing reservation.

If special meals are available on a flight, you will be able to make a special meals request during the booking process after signing in to your MileagePlus account. MileagePlus account holders can also add special meal preferences to their profiles for use with bookings made through united.com. When signed in to your MileagePlus account and making a reservation on united.com, if you have a special meal preference set in your profile, you should verify that the correct special meal has been assigned to the applicable traveler's name prior to confirming the reservation.

If booking outside of united.com, a specific request must be made through the original booking channel for the available special meal to ensure it is included in the reservation, or by contacting the United Customer Contact Center.

How far in advance must I order my special meal?

At least 24 hours before departure.

On which flights does United offer special meals?

International flights

Special meals are available on all international trans-Atlantic, trans-Pacific and most intra-Pacific* flights. Special meals are also available on South American flights to/from Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Peru. (Note that vegetarian lacto-ovo meals are currently available in the premium cabin only.)

*Special meals are only available in United Business® on flights between Guam and Honolulu. Special meals are not available on flights departing from Kosrae (Micronesia), Kwajalein (Marshall Islands), Majuro (Marshall Islands), Pohnpei (Micronesia), Koror (Palau), Sendai (Japan), Truk (Micronesia), and Yap (Micronesia).

U.S. flights

Special meals are available in premium cabins on the following U.S. flights with scheduled meal service:

What will I receive?

You will receive a meal comparable to the service scheduled for your confirmed flight based on the departure time of the flight, the length of the flight and the level of service offered.

Please note that some special meal choices may not be available on all routes.

May I request a special meal when traveling on a partner or codeshare airline?

United is able to request special meals on your behalf when you are traveling on a partner or codeshare airline. However, we cannot guarantee the availability of special meals on the partner airline. You may contact the other airline directly to determine the availability of special meals and to make your request.